U.S. Department of the Interior

Bicycling at Shark Valley

Biking is a great way to experience the quiet beauty of the Everglades. Use these tips and regulations to protect your group and park wildlife.

The Scenic Loop There are restrooms and a water fountain at the observation tower at the farthest point of the loop road.

The scenic loop is 15 miles (24 km) round-trip. There are no short cuts. If you become unable to complete the entire 15-mile trip, turn around and return on the same road.

Bicycling the road takes an average of 2 to 3 hours. The parking lot closes at 6 PM, so be sure to allow yourself enough time.

Ride your bike opposite the flow of tram traffic. Start behind the Visitor Center and follow the straight West Road.

For your safety Stop completely and pull off to the right when a tram approaches. Wait until the tram has completely passed you before you continue riding.

Keep a safe distance from alligators - 15 feet (5 m)

Feeding or harassing any wildlife is illegal. It is dangerous for you and harmful for the animals.

Be prepared for all weather conditions. In the summer months, thunderstorms bring hazardous lightning and temperatures can reach the high 90's. Take plenty of water!

Travel at a safe speed. Cycling at high speeds endanger wildlife and other visitors. The speed limit on the road is 25 mph (40 kph) .

Wear a helmet. State law requires that children under 16 must wear helmets. The tram office sells helmets if you did not bring one.

Riding in Groups Bicyclists who ride in large groups increase the chance of accidents. Stopping or turning suddenly can cause a collision.

Any group of more than 20 cyclists must obtain a Special Use Permit from a park ranger before they ride. Groups who wish to bicycle after normal hours are also required to have a permit. After-hours cycling groups are limited to 25 persons. To get an applications for a Special Use Permit, call (305) 225-3004 or (305) 221-8776

Roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, and other similar devices, as well as private motorized vehicles, are not allowed on the Shark Valley tram road. Along the Way ...r

The Everglades are called "a river fresh water in that broad 'river' as of grass," because here you see a well as providing a home for a great vast , shallow sheet of water that variety of plants and animals. The slowly flows from Lake water cleaned by the Everglades Okeechobee southward to the provides drinking water for all Gulf of Mexico and Bay. South Floridians and nourishes the During the rainy summer months, productive coastal estuaries. the grassy prairie both filters the Observation Tower 7 ml. 11.2 km

Borrow Pit Trail

4th Borrow Pit 8.2 mi. 13.3 km

Along the road are four "borrow artificial ponds attract wildlife. pits" where stone to build the Look for alligators, anhingas, 3rd Borrow Pit 10.0 mi. scenic road was dug out. During wading birds, and turtles around 16.3 km

the dry winter months, these these man-made "gator holes." West Road - 7 miles - 11.2 km 11.2 - miles 7 - Road West

2nd Borrow Pit 12.2 mi. 19.8 km

East Road - 8 miles - 12.8 km

Scattered throughout the rainy season. Everglades you will see tree Bayheads also grow on "high" islands called "tropical hardwood ground, but only a few inches hammocks" and smaller shrubby higher than the sawgrass. Only islands known as "bayheads" plants that can tolerate seasonal dotting the open prairie. flooding grow in bayheads. You Hammocks grow on low can take a closer look at both limestone ridges that rise a few bayhead and hammock ecosystems feet above the seasonally wet along the Bobcat Boardwalk and Otter Cave Trail sawgrass prairie. These flood-free the Otter Cave Hammock trail near 1 mi (1.6 km) “hills” allow tropical and the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Roundtrip temperate trees to thrive. Deer, 1st Borrow Pit bobcat, and other mammals find Please park your bicycle while you 14.3 mi. shelter on tree islands during the walk these unpaved trails. 23.2 km Bobcat Boardwalk 0.3 mi (0.5 km) Roundtrip

For emergency assistance or to report violations dial Visitor #NPS from your cell phone Center

Printed trhough the generosity EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA of the Everglades Association